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Jean's Profile

I am a busy mom of two young girls and co-founder of kidwinks.com.

Jean's Children
9 year-old girl
7 year-old girl

Location
Chicago, IL 60611

Helping kidwinks grow since
Saturday, March 15, 2008

Jean's Reviews

My Reviews

Listing	Winks	Review Date
Independence Grove		9/6/2010
We went here for the first time today and loved it. Thank you, kidwinks members, for letting us know about this place - I had not heard about it before everyone started reviewing it. This place is very picturesque and lots of fun. We had a picnic on a hill overlooking the beautiful scenery and then took a bike ride. After that we rented some 2-person kayaks (which we had never tried before) and paddled around the several lakes. We all thought it was a lot of fun; but I think I'm going to have very sore arms & wrists tomorrow! We then bought ice cream at the cafe and ate it on the beautiful stone terrace, then headed to the playground where the girls had a blast hiding in the "cave", climbing on the rock wall, and trying out the rest of the playground equipment. The floor of the entire playground is shreded tire, so it is very soft. We did not use the beach (with a fee), but we did have to pay a parking fee to enter (generally $5 but since we went on a holiday it was increased to $10, which I didn't like). Lake County residents get in free, but still have to pay for the beach. The whole, huge, area is stroller accessible and a really wonderful place to enjoy with your family. The kayak rental fees were reasonable. There's also paddle boats, canoes, row boats, and bicycles for rent. There's even a very cool 4-person bicycle you can rent; they have around 6 or 7 of them available. There is a weight limit of 100lbs. combined for the front 2 seats on this bike.
Free Gyros Day		8/31/2010
I'm not sure why some people are having trouble printing the coupon. I just successfully printed another coupon for Wally's. I would suggest contacting Kronos - click on the Contact Us link on their site for phone numbers. I would also suggest going at a somewhat "off" time; not right at lunch time or at dinner time. I went last year around 4:30pm and there were no lines at all.
Free Gyros Day		8/30/2010
I printed 2 coupons last year and picked up free dinner for my husband and I at Wally's in Park Ridge. How nice not to have to cook! And the gyros at Wally's are favorites of ours anyway! Note that you have to use 2 different email addresses to print out more than one coupon.
Donley's Wild West Town		8/29/2010
I love this place, and so do my daughters and their friends. This visit was with 4 girls (ages 7 & 9) and 2 boys (ages 9 & 11), and they all had an absolute blast. The staff is so helpful and friendly - the kids enjoyed interacting with these Wild West characters. The favorite activities were panning for gold, the hand cars (which surprised me, given their ages), pony rides for the younger girls, and the Wild West play town, where they played hide & seek and pretended to be outlaws & sheriffs. We dined at the Steakhouse and it was great food. Another nice thing about this place is that they expect and allow the kids to climb on things, like the life-sized buffalo in the restaurant. They provide stairs and encourage the kids to climb on. The museum was really interesting for the kids; if we all weren't so tired after our 7 hour day there, we probably would've spent more time browsing. We went on a Saturday, and it was surprisingly uncrowded with no waiting. We waited to ride the ponies until about 5pm, and there was no one else there, so the girls just stayed on and enjoyed all of their rides at once. Since the older kids didn't want to ride the ponies, the younger ones got to use their punch cards for extra rides. I highly recommend you take your kids here. If you'd like to see some pictures of the place, I posted a bunch of photos on the kidwinks facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=482534&id=149430960592&saved#!/kidwinks1?ref=ts
Wild Wednesdays - Lake View Nature Center		8/16/2010
Lots of fun! I took 4 girls with me, and it was a great way to spend a couple of hours. The girls learned about and petted two armadillos; went on an outdoor scavenger hunt; viewed the indoor exhibits in the small but well-kept nature center; and went on a paddle boat ride. The paddle boats were very reasonably priced - only $3 for 1/2 hour. It was a hot day, and the two 9 year olds in the group were commanding our paddle boat, so we got drenched as they steered us through the fountain in the middle of the pond. A nice way to cool off! There is also a very nice playground with soft rubber chips as the flooring material.
Evanston Beaches		8/16/2010
We went to the Dempster St. beach today and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The beach was clean and uncrowded. There is no concession stand at this beach, and the restrooms are on the other side of the beach entrance, but neither was a big issue for us. I really do not like to pay to go to the beach. We had to pay $28 for the 4 of us to enter the beach. We reached the beach entrance just as the beach was offically opening; if we had got there just 5 minutes earlier, we would not have had to pay an admission. Lesson learned! There was a little bit of shade on the beach itself, in one spot near the fencing on the far side of the beach. We could've easily enjoyed our picnic lunch in the shady park near the beach, but we had a beach umbrella to give us some respite from the hot sun.
Wild Wednesdays - Oakbrook Terrace Park District Lake View Nature Center		8/12/2010
I brought 2 7-year old girls and 2 9-year old girls here today specifically to see the armadillos. We had a great time. The armadillos were awesome, and the gentlemen who were presenting them were very knowledgable (they were ex zoo keepers from Lincoln Park Zoo) and interesting to talk to. The girls enjoyed petting the armadillos. We also did a scavenger hunt, reviewed the indoor exhibits and rented a paddle boat. The paddle boats were only $3 for 1/2 hour. The pond is small, but there's a big fountain in the middle, and the girls loved going through it and getting soaked, since it was over 90 degrees. The Nature Center itself is small, but there are some nice exhibits and activities for the kids. This is well worth a few hours of your day. You can even go fishing - they supply the equipment.
Lake County Fair		7/31/2010
We were very disappointed in the fair because it was so expensive. Admission was $30 for the 4 of us, and that bought you nothing but the right to walk around to the even more expensive vendors, rides and games. There was some free entertainment, but when we were there it was a Hannah Montana copycat that the girls had no interest (thankfully!) in listening to. Rides were $2 - $6 (for 1 - 3 minute rides) and games were generally $3 - $5. I was so disgusted with the prices I couldn't even enjoy myself. The girls of course wanted to play every game and ride every ride. So we bought ride tickets, then gave them each $10 to use for games or more rides. Well, that was gone quickly on a couple of games. We spent some time looking at the animals, but there weren't many there. One of the volunteers explained that Lake County's farms are quickly being replaced by subdivisions, so there aren't many left to exhibit at the fair. I feel very bad giving such a bad review to a nonprofit organization whose volunteers obviously work very hard for this event. But it's not possible for a family to spend the day at this fair without spending a ton of money. One nice thing is that even though the fair was at capacity and they were not allowing more people in, there were no lines for rides or games. I suspect it's because of the prices.
Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular		7/28/2010
The dinosaurs were very lifelike, and it was a fun, unique way to learn about dinosaurs and the history of the earth. The girls loved the baby T. Rex.
Discussion Board - Birthday Party Ideas		7/13/2010
I love having the girls' birthday parties outside of the home. It saves a lot of stress, and if you're creative you can save money. One year, we paired up with my daughter's best friend, whose birthday was 2 weeks before hers. The girls had the same friends, so we had one party and split the cost.
QRCP Summer Camp Adventure		6/27/2010
What a fun, well-run, and very reasonably priced camp! My girls went for 4 days and are BEGGING to go back next week, next year ... whenever they can. There's horseback riding, indoor swimming pool, huge slip 'n' slide, indoor & outdoor playgrounds, indoor gym, computer lab, fishing pond with paddle boat, plus a multitude of additional lessons and camps you can sign up for (baseball, basketball, soccer, instrument & voice lessons, swim lessons and swim team, horseback riding, etc.). The camp is VERY flexible - you may attend one day, all summer, or anything in between. The camp is at a church, but the curriculum is not faith-based. A hot lunch and snacks are included in the daily fee. Highly recommend!
Roosevelt Aquatics Complex		6/21/2010
We bought a pool pass that is good for this complex and Flick Aquatic Complex. We came here in the pre-season, before Flick was open, and found this to be a really nice place. It's smaller than Flick, so you can keep an eye on the kids a bit easier. Like Flick, they provide life jackets for kids who need/want them, and allow noodles and other floaties, which is great.
Flick Aquatics Complex		6/21/2010
Loved it so much last year we bought a pass here this year, even though we're not residents of Glenview. This is such a great complex! Another thing I like about this facility is that they provide life jackets for kids who don't swim or aren't comfortable in the water, and they also allow kids to bring in their own noodles and other floaties.
Kane County Cougars		6/21/2010
This was our first baseball game we attended as a family, and it was great fun for all. My daughters each brought a friend, and they played in the KidZone, watched the game, and we even got to take part in one of the between-inning activities (My family beat Nina's in the bed race!!). We're not a big sports watching family, so I was really surprised at how much my girls liked watching the game. The food was good (though a bit expensive), not a bad seat in the house, and the post-game fireworks were great. On the way home, the girls were all saying they felt like the luckiest girls in the world because they had so much fun. I highly recommend this as a fun summer activity for families. Go early and let the kids play - even running around on the grass is great fun for them.
iCream Cafe		6/19/2010
Fun experience for the kids to design their own ice cream and then watch it being made. The cold "smoke" from the liquid nitrogen was especially intriguing for my girls. You can choose your base from regular ice cream, light ice cream, organic ice cream, soy ice cream or sorbet. Then you choose your add-ins, toppings and even the color. The ice cream was very good but pricey. We spent almost $25 for 4 small ice creams and 2 bottles of water. My mango sorbet was delicious but had more of a creamy, ice cream texture than what I was expecting. We went on a Friday night and it was crowded. We placed our order within 5 minutes of arriving, but then had to wait 30 - 35 minutes for the backlog of orders before us to clear through. There are only 4 machines, so the going can be pretty slow at peak times.
Brunk Children's Museum of Immigration		6/13/2010
We stopped in here while attending the Andersonville Midsomarfest, and the girls (I had my own 2 plus a friend each) had so much fun they didn't want to leave and see the rest of the festival. The girls really enjoyed going on the steamship, rowing the boat and playing in the log cabin in America. But the biggest attraction by far was the Swedish farmhouse. The girls dressed in the traditional costumes, then immediately immersed themselves into roleplay. They did laundry and hung it on the clothesline, then folded it, milked the cow, tended the garden, prepared dinner in the farmhouse and served it, put the kids to bed, etc. They played for about 3 hours and would've kept going if the museum didn't close. I'm very impressed with the quality of this museum. It's very interesting for the adults and kids alike.
Andersonville Midsommarfest		6/13/2010
I've always wanted to take my girls to this festival since I am half Swedish. We went today, and our first stop was the Swedish American Museum, where there is a Children's Museum on the 3rd floor. The girls had so much fun there, they had no interest in seeing anything else, so I left them with my husband and explored on my own. There was a nice kids' area with an inflatable climbing wall, mini golf, very cute inflatable whale-shaped obstacle course, kids' entertainment stage and some crafts. Really great food options, both from the festival vendors and from the Andersonville restaurants. There were some really good vendors, too, with a lot of nice jewelry (yes, I treated myself). The crowds were not bad at all, especially in the kids' zone.
Cascade Drive-in Theatre		6/1/2010
My daughters thought it was really cool to sit in the car and watch a movie. We took the back row seats out of our minivan and replaced the area with pillows for the girls to lay on and watch the movie out the back. Unfortunately, someone parked right in front of us and also had their back hatch open, so the gilrs couldn't lay down to watch the movie. I think the owner should designate every other row for open hatchbacks because then everyone can see. We solved our problem by putting our chairs in the back, and the girls could then sit inside and see the movie. After the first movie about half of the cars left, so we then moved to where we could all see. Good selection of food in the concession stand. The stereo radio sound was awesome - we liked it much better than the speakers. I highly reocmmend this as a fun summertime activity, though it is a late night.
Al Primo Canto Restaurant		5/27/2010
My daughter picked this as her birthday dinner for her 9th birthday. She has never forgotten how much she loved it from over 2 years ago. We were not disappointed - the food is still delicious and the service superb. Not a cheap meal, though!
TopGolf Birthday Parties		5/27/2010
We had my daughter's 9th birthday party here tonight, and all of the kids LOVED it, though none had golfed before. We had 5 kids in each of 2 bays, and they immediately started a friendly competition. As we were leaving, all of the kids were saying they wanted to come back and play again. The staff couldn't be nicer or more accommodating, and it was such an easy party for me. Kids get their choice of 4 entrees so everyone is happy. I ordered the $5 goody bags, which were actually water bottles filled with a few pieces of candy, a tattoo, a coupon for a free game of mini golf, and a certificate for $15 worth of TopGolf or mini golf games. Great deal!
Home Comfort Heating and Cooling, Inc.		5/17/2010
We had Home Comfort clean our air ducts. With two shedding dogs in our house, we really needed it. The technician couldn't have been nicer, and even gave us tips on how we can do some of the maintenance ourselves with our shop vac. It's such a pleasure to deal with a company that you can trust.
Monument Playlot Park		5/10/2010
This is a great little park to take the kids to after dining out at one of the Edison Park restaurants. It's just a short walk from most of the area's restaurants, and just across the street from Moretti's.
TopGolf		5/2/2010
I was surprised at how fun this was for me (I am NOT a golfer) and for my girls - we had a blast! You tee off using real golf balls with microchips inside so they can track how far you hit it and your points if you hit the targets in the field. I was really surprised that all of the 3 girls with me (ages 6, 7, & 8) hit many of the targets, even though it was their first time golfing. The facility is outside, but you are protected from the weather, and if it's chilly, each booth has its own heater that you can switch on. Servers take your food/drink orders. We ordered hot pretzels which were delicious; the other food we saw at other booths looked really good too. This would be a fun outing for families with kids of any age. The manager told me that even very young children enjoy it. My daughter has declared she wants to have her next birthday party here. The facility is very clean, and the staff was very attentive and friendly.
Family Fun Weekend - TopGolf		5/2/2010
If you're looking for something fun and free to do, definitely go here! I took 3 girls (ages 6, 7 & 8) here and we all had a blast. There were no lines for anything, and it was all great fun. The rock climbing wall was really high, with 3 faces/levels of difficulty; the girls had great fun bouncing down the inflatable slide. The mini golf course is very cute, with water hazards and a tunnel to play through. The face painter is very good and fast. All of that was free. We also tried the actual TopGolf game (which is not part of the free activities), and it was really fun for all of us. Highly recommend this event!
Francesca's North		4/27/2010
Really yummy food! Took the kids here tonight and I thoroughly enjoyed my salmon. We all loved the bread - nice and warm, with flavored olive oil and fresh parmesan for dipping. The kids meals run $5 - $7 with the usual offerings of noodles, pizza and chicken. Kids meals include a drink and scoop of gelato. My daughter did not like the pizza she ordered due to the big chunks of fresh tomato in the sauce, so our waiter happily replaced it with noodles. Each kid gets crayons and a paper placemat with word games to occupy them. The big entertainment for the kids, though, was drawing on the white paper on the table. They were totally busy workin' the crayons the entire time we were there. Nice atmosphere, attentive wait staff and good food. Kids eat free the last Wednesday of the month. Give it a try if you're looking for a more upscale dining experience with the kids.
Bass Pro Shops		4/25/2010
Even if you're not the outdoorsy type, this store is worth stopping in if you have kids. There's a huge fish tank filled with very large fresh water fish, and benches all around it, all sorts of stuffed wildlife throughout the store, and a stream with a bridge over it. Kids love to watch the fish in the tank and in the stream.
Hollywood Blvd. Cinema		4/25/2010
Just saw our second movie here, and this time we were in the Wizard of Oz theater. There are Oz characters all over the place, with Dorothy and the main characters at the foot of the screen. In the back of the theater is the house that landed on the witch, and you can see her legs (wearing the ruby slippers) underneath. VERY cute! We loved looking through the glass cases outside the theater with the Hollywood memorabilia -- original clothes and documents from Gone With the Wind and much more. Food is really good and wait staff very attentive.
Abt Electronics Store		4/19/2010
If you've never visited this family-owned mega store, take the time to go the next time you need an appliance, camera, computer, tv, etc. It's a destination in itself. It is a HUGE showroom that your kids will love. They have a large fish tank in the camera section that the kids will enjoy, and they also have big media rooms set up as displays that you can sit and try out. The last time I was there they were having remote controlled car racing in their huge atrium. It's a good way to keep the kids entertained while you speak to the sales associates about the item you're trying to buy. We bought all of our kitchen appliances here, and it was a great experience - friendly and knowledgable sales staff; no hard sells. We were also able to negotiate a discount when we bought our appliances together. We return here whenever we need an appliance or item they sell.
Bike Helmet Program - Advocate Lutheran General Hospital		4/16/2010
We bought helmets here for ourselves and for our daughter 3 years ago, and it was great. We were each fitted individually, and had a nice choice of colors/designs to choose from. We were in a hurry when we needed a replacement helmet for her, so had to go to a store, but we'll definitely return here for the next helmet we need.
D'Agostino's Pizza and Pub Family Night		4/9/2010
I've never seen such unusual balloon formations, so I posted a pic of Nina's and my kids modelling their creations by Smarty Pants at the Grand Opening celebration. From left to right, there's a turban, a dragonfly, a jester's hat, a flamingo and an alien / planet creation. My girls want to go back every Thursday night. Smarty Pants says he doesn't always have time to do such involved work - it just depends how many kids are waiting.
D'Agostino's Pizza and Pub - Park Ridge		4/9/2010
Great addition to the restaurant options in Park Ridge! Really good pizza! Flat screen tvs and two very cool trains running around tracks suspended from the ceiling. I highly recommend going on Thursday evening to catch the best balloon guy I've ever seen - Smarty Pants.
Tasty Pup		4/4/2010
We stopped here in February to take home dinner on a busy activity night for the girls. The girls didn't care much for their kids meals (chicken); my husband and I thought the food was okay, but nothing special. The staff was very friendly, and apologized many times when our order sat waiting on the counter and they failed to tell us it was ready.
Wholly Frijoles Mexican Grill		4/3/2010
Nina told me about this place several years ago, and she's right - it's delicious! I've been here with my hubby, my mom's group and my book club. Great place to go with a group - we brought our own sangria and margaritas.
Northwest Animal Hospital		4/3/2010
A friend referred me here 4 years ago, when my golden retriever was having problems with his leg, and our vet was not concerned. The vet we saw here, George, immediately realized it was his shoulder, referred us to a specialist, and didn't charge for the visit. It turned out Rufus had bone cancer, so we went back to see George, who talked us through options, prescribed pain meds, and again didn't charge for the visit. Really wonderful man. After several months, we finally had to put Rufus to sleep, and these vets were awesome: very respectful and feeling for us. We now have 2 black labs and of course have these vets care for them.
MagiQuest - Yorktown Center		3/31/2010
I took my girls this evening to the media preview day at this new entertainment destination, and they absolutely LOVED it. Medieval costumed guides (who stay in character at all times) led them through selecting a personal magic wand, a clan to belong to, and a Magi name. These were then registered on the MagiQuest computer and the wands were charged with magic. Next stop was a quick demonstration of wand usage then on to a bank of touchstone screens, where they could choose a Quest from a selection of about 10. Each Quest has a series of riddles with certain objects that need to be found by roaming through the facility and pointing the magic wands. When the wand is pointed at the correct item, it is registered on the wand. When all items are found, they must locate a particular screen character, who then awards them a rune. When a Quest is completed successfully, you may return to the touchstone and select another Quest. The guides are roaming about the facility, offering tips and advice on where to find certain objects. Each player also has a small book with a map of the facility and a description of each Quest with its riddles. Points are awarded based on the Quests completed, time spent, etc., and are all registered on the wand. The wands are purchased for $16.95 and must be brought with each time you return to MagiQuest, and are good at any MagiQuest location. You then purchase game time ($4.95 per half hour; packages available). It's a very cool concept, marrying video games with the physical action of a scavenger hunt. We did ALOT of walking (or skipping, in my older daughter's case) around as the girls each completed about 5-6 Quests in 2 hours. After the first 2 Quests, my 8-year old politely asked me to stop following her around and go help her sister. :( But my 6-year old still welcomed mommy's help and presence. On the way home, I asked the girls how many winks they'd rate it. These girls are generally pretty reserved with their ratings, but the 8-year old immediately said "5 winks!" and the 6-year old quickly topped her with "100 winks!". They are begging to go back very soon, and I will happily oblige. This was my first visit to Yorktown Center, and it's a very nice mall: not crowded, and it combines the usual mall stores with Marshall's & HomeGoods, two of my favorite places to shop, and a few stores that I hadn't seen before but want to visit. I see some shopping / MagiQuest outings in our future. And I also noticed a Flat Top Grill, which has Kids Eat Free on Mondays, in the mall.
Easter Egg Hunt & Resurrection Faire - South Park Church		3/28/2010
We try to attend this event each year, because they do such a good job on this free event. We went today and were not disappointed. There were 4 different inflatables (obstacle course, slide, regular jumpy plus one more, I think), an egg hunt, and roving Biblical characters who explained their part in the Easter story and then stamped each child's registration card. Once a child received a stamp from each of the 7 or so characters, the card could be turned in for a raffle drawing. Inside the church, they served free cookies, lemonade, hot cocoa and coffee; had craft tables set up; a puppet show; and a short, entertaining and educational play about Easter. Very well done.
Wilderness Resort - Wisconsin Dells		3/27/2010
We just returned from our third trip as a family to this resort. We had always thoroughly enjoyed this resort, which is why we kept returning. But this time, we were pretty disappointed. The chlorine level in the water was so high that it caused pretty painful problems for my older daughter. I won't go into details, but will say that she was VERY much in pain, crying, unable to urinate because the chlorine wreaked such havoc on her system. This happened one other time at another hotel pool a couple of years ago, and I spoke with a physician's assistant then who told us what to do (sit cross-legged in a warm bath) and that this can easily happen with over-chlorinated pools. The chlorine made all of our eyes sting and skin itch after a very short time in the water which is unfortunate. It was consistent with all 3 of the indoor waterparks; my daughter was a trooper and tried them all, and ended up in pain each time (even after I applied zinc oxide cream). I understand the need to keep the water clean, but there must be some way to do so without overapplying the chemicals - other pools manage to do it. UPDATE: I filled in the resort's comment card to let them know about our experience. I was impressed that they cared enough to follow up with me to let me know their chlorine levels are maintained to adhere to state guidelines.
Houlihans - Park Ridge		3/27/2010
I've been here several times for lunch with friends and once with a social club for drinks, and was very impressed with the food and service each time. Today I took my family for the first time, and it was a great experience. The food and service was great as usual. My daughters loved the placemats and crayons, and played hangman throughout the whole meal. They did not love the pizzas they ordered (too much sauce for their tases), and our waiter was wonderful and exchanged it for something else, no questions asked. The manager then came out and said he was sorry the girls didn't like the pizza, and could not have been nicer. We enjoyed the smores fondue for dessert - YUM! We are so happy to have a restaurant of Houlihan's quality and service orientation in Park Ridge. We'll definitely be back.
Indoor Winter Farmers Markets		3/14/2010
Just got back from the market in Park Ridge; once again with bags of wonderful things that are good for you and support local farmers. We had the brunch, and my girls loved the breakfast sausages from Arnold's Farm, and begged me to buy only these from now on. Happy to do that, since they don't contain the additives of the store-bought variety! We also picked up some farm fresh eggs from our favorite farm, Kinkoona Farm and caught up with Suellen, the owner. She's still got openings for her summer camps - search for Kinkoona on kidwinks.
Birthday Parties Jump Zone		3/8/2010
My daughter attended a birthday party here and had a great time. The place is new and very clean, and there's a nice selection of jumpys: pirate ship, bubble gum machine, castle, dragon, etc. There are a few smaller jumpys for the younger set, which is nice. Birthday parties can be scheduled during open jump hours, so there is no exclusivity. If birthday parties are scheduled at the same time slot, they keep the age ranges within 2 years, which is really a great idea. That way, you don't have 10 year olds trouncing over 3 year olds. There's a nice area for parents to sit and watch, with comfy sofas and a tv. The mom who hosted the party said the staff couldn't have been more helpful, and she was very pleased.
Scitech Hands On Museum		2/25/2010
I helped chaperone my daughter's 3rd grade class's field trip here, and the kids loved it. They did not take the time to read the signs explaining the science concepts behind the exhibits because they were having too much fun just doing them. None of the kids wanted to leave, and none of them were bored. This is a great place to visit with kids who are getting too old for the childrens' museums. There is also a separate play area for the younger kids (age 6 and under). There are 3 floors of exhibits, and well worth a visit.
Sledding at Flick Park		2/19/2010
My husband and daughter went here last weekend, and loved it. It was a good sized hill for her age (8), not too crowded, and the parents were supervising their kids well so there wasn't a lot of out of control sleds crashing into people.
Safari Land		2/16/2010
We went for the first time today, and stayed 6 hours! I think that's some kind of record for us. The girls had a great time between the rides, climbing area, and games. We had lunch here too. The food was pretty good, and I liked that they had healthy options like pasta and salads to choose from. I agree with other reviewers that this place has the potential to be pretty pricey. The wristbands are a good value and include 2 rides each on the go karts, roller coaster and flight simulator, plus unlimited turns on the other attractions (bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl, monkey jump, lion's den and merry go round). Take note, though, that you can't substitute the special rides. My daughters had no interest in the flight simulator (way too scary for them), but we couldn't exchange it for extra rides on the roller coaster or go karts. Also, my younger daughter went on the roller coaster once but was too scared to go on again, but we weren't allowed to give her extra roller coaster ride to my older daughter, even though there were no lines and many empty seats on the roller coaster. All in all, a good place to take the kids (I would say at least pre-school age, if not older) for some indoor fun.
Brunswick Zone - Niles		2/15/2010
My daughters have attended many birthday parties here and always have a good time. I wish they wouldn't give the kids tokens to use after the party. It's always so crowded in that small little game room as all the birthday party goers try to use their tokens then redeem their tickets before they leave.
Lattof YMCA		2/11/2010
My daughter had her 7th birthday party here, and it was a huge success. We did a water party, where the kids got to go through a huge floating obstacle course set up in the pool. They LOVED it, and the staff was extremely helpful and friendly. They were also very safety conscious, with two lifeguards in the pool with the girls, and one outside. They have a really cute island-themed party area overlooking the pools, with grass hut roof. Really fun and cute. My daughter still talks about that party, over a year later.
Gale Street Inn - Magical Sundays		1/18/2010
We arrived at 6:15pm and had to wait half an hour for a table. The food was just okay (ribs for hubby, pulled pork sandwich for me, chicken tenders for the girls), and the service not incredibly attentive. The kids meals are $5.95 each, or ribs are $6.95, and include a drink and ice cream sundae. The magician comes to each table with kids just before they leave to do a few tricks. He was good, and the girls were amazed. He made them each a balloon animal, too, which they loved. I'm glad I tried it once, but I'm not hankering to go back anytime soon.
Baja Fresh-Niles		1/6/2010
I used the coupon (good on kidwinks through 1/7/10) and took my girls here so they could eat free. With the coupon for 2 kids eat free, the three of us enjoyed a delicious meal for $9.50 total! The kids meals are generally $3.99 and include either a cheese quesadilla, a taquito, or a bean & cheese burrito; applesauce; rice; and a drink (milk, juice or soda). Much better and healthier than the normal fast food fare. Each of us also received a free order of chips, and I enjoyed the free salsa bar. My tostada salad was absolutely delicious. I didn't eat the shell, so it fit into my low-carb New Year's resolution. Even without the shell, this huge salad left me stuffed.
Enchanted Castle Family New Year's Eve Party		1/1/2010
We will definitely come back to this party again! We all had a great time, and the $20 charge per person was well worth it. We went to the early (4:00pm) seating, and arrived about 10 minutes after it started. Next time, I would arrive earlier to take better advantage of the 3.5 hours; I think they let people in a bit early. I'd arrive hungry and eat first, then move on to the games and fun! There were hula hoop contests and other activities going on, and contestants and winners alike received ticket vouchers to cash in for prizes. I highly recommend this party for families with children of ALL ages - even teenagers will have a good time.
The Enchanted Castle Restaurant and Entertainment Center		1/1/2010
I wasn't sure what to expect when we came here for the New Year's Eve family celebration, and I was very pleasantly surprised. This place is enormous (60,000 sq. ft.), and has go karts, laser tag, a really nice mini golf area with bridges over real water hazards, a huge climbing area that my girls loved, tons of arcade games and probably the best prizes I've seen. This is a place that can keep children (and teens) of all ages interested and entertained. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We'll definitely come back sometime for a day of play.
Awesome Christmas Lights		12/29/2009
Put your kids in the car and go to see this amazing display. What an amazing show! The homeowners happened to come home while we were enjoying the show, and came out to deliver candy canes and holiday greetings to us. They put this display together to give people something to enjoy for free. They LOVE when people come by to see it. They programmed 16 songs, each one taking a week to program, and then cut out a few of the slower songs. The fan in the display is custom built by the homeowner. My 8-year old daughter and I couldn't take our eyes off that fan. My favorite song was by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. They plan to do this again next year (in 2010).
Splatters create-&-party Birthday Parties		11/24/2009
I brought my daughters to Splatters to create a unique birthday gift for their auntie, who was arriving from overseas. They do not have drop-in art times frequently (I think it's once a week), but I was able to arrange a time in advance that worked for us all, which was very nice and accommodating of them. Lynn, co-owner and artist, helped to guide my daughters through their creations. We picked canvasses that were a little pricey ($25 each for stretched canvas on a frame), but there were cheaper ones available. We had a little incident carrying the wet projects out to the car, and the paint wound up on both of my girls' jackets, but Lynn sponged off most of it, and the rest came right out in the wash when we got home. This looks like a very fun place to have a birthday party.
Baja Fresh		11/12/2009
I ate here for the first time yesterday, and it was delicious! Everything is made fresh each day. The chain does not allow the use of microwaves, freezers or even can openers. Free chips and a salsa bar are included with your order. The chips and salsas are made fresh onsite each day and are fantastic. The mocajate salsa was my favorite. All of the Chicago area locations are owned by the same person, and they try to buy local ingredients when they can. The delicious, fresh food was truly a surprise for me, coming from a fast-food type of chain. Definitely make a trip to your local Baja Fresh - it won't be your last. Note that kids eat free on Sundays and Mondays.
Dooby Dooby Moo - Lifeline Theatre		11/7/2009
Seeing this show today reminded me of how much I love live theater, and how important it is to expose our children to it. My girls and I had a wonderful afternoon, and thoroughly enjoyed the show. It was witty and well done; enjoyable for adults and children. We went on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, so I was a bit afraid the girls would grumble about being inside, but they had a great time and called this our special afternoon together. The show was about an hour long, which is perfect for children. This was our first visit to the Lifeline Theatre, but won't be our last. It is a very intimate setting, with only 8 rows of seats, an aisle up the middle, and 4-6 seats on each side of the aisle. Not a bad seat in the house. We parked in the theatre's free parking lot about 6 blocks away. The shuttle was there ready to drive us to the theatre, but it was so beautiful out, we preferred to walk. In cold weather, definitely take the shuttle.
Candy Bear Lane Birthday Parties For Kids		10/15/2009
I stopped in this store today and was charmed by the management and their concept. The downstairs is the storefront, where they sell old-fashioned candy and stuffed animals that kids stuff themselves. Upstairs is the birthday party area, and it is unbelievably cute. Murals on the walls depict different scenes from the game "CandyLand". The place is spotlessly clean. At the parties, the kids each pick a small (or large, depending on the price range picked) animal to stuff, and then stuff it with candy! They're given stuffing to take home, so after the candy is gone they can then stuff the animal with stuffing (there are small zippers in the animals' backs). VERY VERY CUTE, and their rates are EXTREMELY reasonable. Check this place out, moms! Kids will love it. And your pocketbook will too.
Dominic's Kitchen Store		10/6/2009
If you need anything at all for your kitchen, or want to wow your guests or family with a uniquely shaped cake, go to Dominic's! Dominic and his staff are super friendly and helpful. They also have a section of the store devoted to kids' cooking - a great place to pick up a gift.
Jumpin' Joey Moonwalk Rentals		10/5/2009
Victor provides the bouncy houses for our school events, and does a great job. The bouncy houses are always clean, and safety is always a top priority. He brought a fun one to the last event that I had never seen before - a kick the soccer ball type of inflatable. The kids loved it and were lining up! Great, family-owned company.
The John G. Shedd Aquarium		10/4/2009
We came here on a Friday, when the girls were out of school for a teacher's in-service day. What a great time to go! It was very uncrowded, so we got to see everything up close without waiting. The girls got in free because they dressed as their favorite Olympic athlete on the day when the Olympic bid was announced (sorry, Chicago!). Despite their free basic passes (we paid extra for the Wild Reef exhibit), it was still very expensive! Admission was $75, parking another $20, and lunch (next time we'll bring our own) another $30. Yikes! NO wonder everyone goes on the free days! But what an awesome aquarium - the girls LOVED it. We got a sneak peek of their new FantaSea show, which will incorporate red-tailed hawks, otters, and other critters along with the whales and dolphins. I think it will be worth seeing when it debuts Oct. 16th.
Superdawg		9/30/2009
The experience was fun, and the service was friendly and fast. But the food left a lot to be desired. When I bite into a burger, I want to taste mostly burger with a little bun. These burgers are almost slider-thin. And they don't have tomatoes and lettuce, which I love on burgers. My daughter and hubby declared their hot dogs "just ok"; my younger daughter liked her chicken nuggets. Noone was interested in a return visit.
Lisa's Homemade Italian Ice		9/28/2009
We've had the Italian ice here several times over the last few years and have always enjoyed it. I attended a private event here last week, and learned much more about this business. The owners (both moms) spend countless hours researching flavors and trying recipes until they get it just right. Their apple pie ice cream (which is delicious, btw!), for example, has real apple pie in it - and they sampled and sampled pies until they found the one they liked best. Go in and try their citrus blast sorbet - it is DELICIOUS! It's a blend of grapefruit, blood oranges, lime and (I think) lemon. YUM! And don't be shy about asking for samples before you make your buy decision - they're happy to let you taste!
Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden Family Drop In Activities - Chicago Botanic Garden		9/27/2009
We stopped at an activity station during our short visit to the Botanic Gardens today. The staff (or volunteers?) were very friendly and nice to the kids. There were colored pencils out and the kids were asked to draw a rainbow, and then for each color in the rainbow, to draw fruits and vegetables of that color.
Last Fling - Naper Settlement		9/5/2009
We went today for the first time to this festival, and I was impressed with the Family FunLand. It was separate from the larger "Fling", with age-appropriate activities and entertainment (Radio Disney was on stage when we were there). Even though there were lots of people around, there were no long lines and it didn't seem crowded. One of the local salons for little girls was there doing free makeovers. My youngest daughter got a "rock star" makeover complete with hairdo and makeup. She says she'll never wash her hair again. There were several inflatables for the younger ones (probably up to age 5 or so) along with all kinds of games and activities. A large grassy area was there with trees for shade and there were even food vendors right there, so you don't have to cross the street and river to the larger "Fling" to eat. The animals in the petting zoo obviously had been fed all day, and were not interested in the food we bought to feed them. So we just saved it for the ducks in the river.
Pickwick Theatre		8/25/2009
The main theatre is beautiful in this historic building, and I enjoy watching movies and performances here. The smaller theatres are nothing special, but don't miss a chance to see the main theatre and enjoy the architecture all around, including the ceiling. I believe you get free refills on popcorn; not sure about pop.
Junior Choir - Park Ridge Community Church		8/24/2009
My daughter sings in this choir, and it is amazing what the kids are able to learn. Sasha is an exceptional instructor and person, and this is a great way to get free, top-notch vocal instruction. Everyone is welcome. The more the merrier, as far as Sasha is concerned!
Family Fun Festival: Activity Zone - Millennium Park		8/23/2009
The activity tent is huge, shaded and cool. There was a great kids' western-themed band playing there with a large dance area (which several kids were taking advantage of), an area with jump ropes and hula hoops, an area with wooden blocks that people were using to build HUGE towers with, and then a crafts area. My daughters had a great time here. We only had about an hour to enjoy it before they closed for the day. Too bad - they could've stayed there a lot longer.
Millennium Park		8/23/2009
We went today for the first time in about 3 years. The girls remembered the water area and couldn't wait to go there again. We had them wear their swimsuits under their clothes, so it was easy for them to "suit up" once we got there. Then we just brought towels and dry undies for them and had them change behind two beach towels we held up when they were done playing in the water. We took the el from Park Ridge, and the girls loved being on the train rather than driving. We didn't realize there was track maintenance underway, so we had to take a bus around that construction from Western to Clark/Lake. Bummer. We didn't want to wait 25 minutes for a table for lunch at the Park Grill onsite, so we walked across the street to a pizza place, I think it was Pizano's. Delicious pizza - all handmade with fresh tomato sauce. My husband and I loved it; the girls wouldn't eat it. Go figure. The Family Activity tent was a blast. Wish we had more time there; I'll review that separately.
The Selfish Giant - Millennium Park		8/23/2009
We stopped by here quickly today during our visit to Millennium Park. We unfortunately arrived half an hour after the play started, and my girls were too hungry to stay and watch for long. But it looked very good - especially for the preschool crowd. There were many families with toddlers and preschoolers spread out on the lawn, obviously enjoying the show. I'd rate it higher if we had stayed long enough to make a better determination.
Vehicle Free Biking at Morton Arboretum		8/20/2009
We did this for the first time tonight, and it's a beautiful way to see the grounds and the Animal Houses exhibit. We enjoyed a picnic dinner first, then hopped on our bikes to explore. It's such a great way to go biking as a family, because you don't have to worry about traffic. Our 6-year old rode on a bike extender behind my husband, and our 8-year old rode her own bike. There are gently rolling hills throughout, which for the most part was no problem. A couple of the steeper hills were a challenge for the 8-year old since she only has 1 speed on her bike, and is not a real experienced rider, so she had to walk her bike up. Five minutes into our ride we stopped to watch two bucks who were in the grass maybe 15 feet from the road. Beautiful! The girls had fun exploring all of the houses in the Animal Houses exhibit, and having them all to themselves. At the end of our ride the storm clouds were coming in, and there was a gorgeous rainbow. I can't wait to do this again.
The Morton Arboretum		8/20/2009
We visited for the first time this year, and became members. My girls LOVE this place, and so do I. Membership is reciprocated at Chicago Botanic Gardens, so you can park there for free (admission is always free there) too. And membership covers 4 children; if you have only 2 like me, they can each bring a friend to get in free too. Bonus! We plan to spend a lot of time here over the next year, enjoying each of the seasons in this beautiful place.
Flick Aquatics Complex		8/14/2009
We went here today for the first time, and I was very impressed. The complex has slides and 5 different pools, and I loved that the girls could bring "floaties" into the activity pool (thanks for the tip, Michele!). My younger daughter is very petite, and even though she can swim, it's tiring for her to have to tread water all the time when trying to keep up with her older sister in deeper parts of the pool (anything over 3' 6", and she's on her tip toes). This complex was not crowded, even though we went in the middle of a 94 degree day. It's very clean and there is lots of shade from large umbrellas and trees in the grassy area. Room for everyone. There are also benches set up in the water slide and diving board area so parents can sit and watch their kids. Nice touch! Love it - we'll be back.
Meteor Shower Star Party - Cantigny Park		8/13/2009
We attended this event last night, and it was very well done. Only 350 may attend, and the event sells out every year. Indoors there were various events for kids like making a kite, and the Adler also had an inflatable planetarium! Inside, they were showing a part of their Big Bird's One World, One Sky show. Very cool! My 8-year old made evil eyes at me when she realized she was about to watch a show with Sesame Street characters, but she loved it. They learned what a "shooting star" would look like, how to find the big dipper and north star, and what life was like on the moon. Outside, we were able to find the big dipper in the sky once it got dark enough. There were several telescopes set up with local astronomers outside, and you could just walk around and look through the telescopes and learn from the astronomers. We saw jupiter and its 4 moons, a star cluster, and a closeup of "one" of the stars in the handle of the big dipper, which is actually 3 stars! Who knew? The grounds were beautiful; now I want to come back to see more. There were 3 shooting stars we saw before the girls just got too tired. A very fun family night - we'll do it again next year.
Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria in Edison Park		8/10/2009
My girls love coming here because they get to make their own pizza, which is very fun for them. The waiter brings the pizza dough, and the kids get to put on the sauce and toppings, then it gets cooked. The outdoor patio is really nice in the summer, and the train station across the street offers a source of entertainment for the kids.
Kappy's Restaurant & Pancake House		7/30/2009
This is one of our favorite places to take our kids to eat. They have an extensive kids menu with non-standard items like roast turkey, and have several breakfast items offered all day too. The adult menu is also very extensive with large portions and many entrees include a cup of their yummy soup. Each meal begins with a complimentary basket of bread items, which is appreciated when the kids are starving. It's a popular place with senior citizens, so you know it's a good value! Another great thing about Kappy's is it's location - right in the parking lot for my favorite outlet shopping plaza. There's Loehmann's, TJ Maxx, Home Goods and Eddie Bauer Outlets, plus Old Navy. Across the street there's a Lands End Outlet.
Pump It Up of Glenview		7/24/2009
I held my daughter's 6th birthday here yesterday, and it was very well done. The kids got 40 minutes each in 2 different jumping rooms and the kids had a great time climbing on the climbing wall in the 2nd room. The staff was very helpful, efficient and friendly. and everything was very clean. We had 2 guys who helped in the jumping rooms, and another who helped in the party room. They were all fantastic with the kids and eager to make sure I was happy with everything. We took advantage of the summer special which includes free pizza and drinks for the kids. I would strongly encourage you to order more pizza, because 3 pizzas for 23 6-year olds was not enough. Fortunately, we brought chips too and ordered 1 extra pizza for my husband and I. We ended up not getting any pizza, but the kids all had their fill. My other tip would be to have the kids wear long shorts or capris. My daugher wore a skort, and wound up with a huge burn on her thighs from one of the slides. Her skin must've stuck as she tried to slide down, and it was quite painful for her.
Jackie's Nails & Spa		7/14/2009
I love coming here because it's unpretentious and budget friendly. It's only $30 to get a manicure and pedicure, which is less than many places charge just for a pedicure. I've hosted 2 parties here, for book club and a ladies night. It was great - we just brought in our own food and cocktails, set them out on the reception desk, and we then mingled and talked while we got our manis and pedis. Very fun, low-cost way to pamper yourselves. There's no extra charge - you just pay for the services.
Kerasotes Theatres		7/14/2009
We usually go to the Niles location, where it's generally not crowded and it's connected to Golf Mill Mall. We also visit The Glen and Village Crossing. Free refills on popcorn and drinks - love it!
Muvico Theaters		7/14/2009
This is a beautiful movie theater and it's never crowded. I love that we have the option of leaving the kids in the children's playroom (extra fee) if we don't have a babysitter. It's also nice that they have free indoor parking.
Registration for Messiah Lutheran Child Care Center		7/14/2009
My daughters attended Messiah for 2 years each, and loved it. The teachers and staff are very caring and there is very low turnover on the teachers. I loved the faith-based nature of the program, and they even had a Spanish teacher come in once a week. The kids get plenty of fresh air outside on the 2 playgrounds. My daughters still talk about how much they love Messiah and miss their teachers. The hours are very flexible too, so you can start your children very early and pick them up later if you work. This is not the cheapest preschool program around, but it's well worth it. I highly recommend this program.
Mary Poppins - Cadillac Palace Theatre		7/11/2009
Fantastic! The girls loved it. I honestly don't think there's a bad seat in the house here. We took the girls to peer into the orchestra pit after the show, which was pretty cool.
Taste of Park Ridge		7/11/2009
The free family fun zone is a great place to bring the kids, especially the younger ones. We started the day with the free movie at the Pickwick, then moved on to some sidewalk sales (somehow, the girls were able to spot Webkinz ornaments, lip gloss, etc. at 50% off) then to the fun zone. If An Elephant Can Paint was doing BEAUTIFUL face painting for free. The girls don't want to wash it off! We got hungry around 1:00 pm, and spent $30 for a very disappointingly small amount of food (2 slices of pizza, 1 polish sausage, 1 small bowl of pad thai, 4 sodas, 1 iced tea and 2 ice creams). At least there seemed to be more seating this year, because we were able to find a table. IF you're on a budget, come for the free entertainment, pack a picnic, and buy dessert - there are delicious options available. The Family Fun Zone area is nicely shaded by trees and not overcrowded. You can watch the kids play from your blanket.
Big Run Wolf Ranch Wildlife Education - Park Ridge Library		6/30/2009
My daughters and one of their friends attended this presentation, and were thrilled wtih the number of live animals they got to see. They were dragging their feet, not sure they wanted to attend before the show started...but afterwards, all 3 were VERY happy they went.
Gone Fishin' Derby		6/27/2009
My daughters have participated in this fishing derby the last two years, and have a great time. Two years ago, my then 6-year old won the trophy for most fish caught in her age range, and she still cherishes the trophy. The pond is well stocked, so I think everyone catches something. The staff are always really great with the kids, though it would be helpful to have a few more judges running around, so the kids don't waste so much time tracking down a judge when they catch a fish. (I can't help it - I'm very competitive!!)
Hollywood Blvd. Cinema		5/28/2009
I had my daughter's birthday here, and a good time was had by all. The girls (8 years old) loved it. We had 8 kids and 2 adults; I ordered pizza, a big tub of popcorn (they provided plates so the kids could share; popcorn refills are only $1) and drinks for the kids; my husband and I each ordered an entree and drink. The food bill, including tip, came to $115, which I thought was pretty reasonable. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They saw we had a birthday party, and let us into the theater first so we could get seats together. My daughter got a free birthday sundae. Drinks are refilled by the wait staff when they become empty, and the refills are free. The theatre itself is very cool, with lots of Hollywood memorabilia and posters. We couldn't take advantage of the adult beverages offered from the full bar because we were driving with kids, but I'd like to come back sometime to do that. Worth the drive!
Village Creamery		5/14/2009
YUM! YUM! YUMMMMM!!!! This place has delicious ice cream and sorbet, all made on site. They have very exotic flavors as well as more traditional ones, all of which you may sample before you buy. Try the pomelo sorbet -- I had it last night and can't get it out of my mind!
Wagner Farm		5/9/2009
What a nice, fresh approach to park district offerings. This is a low-key way to spend some time outdoors with your kids. You're free to wander around the farm and inside the main building, where there are interesting displays. My girls loved seeing the farm animals and petting the horse. We went on a cool day, and the pigs were very active and funny. I never knew they romped around and played. We learned that pigs can't sweat, which is why they generally just lie around in the cool mud. (The pigs are tested very frequently for any signs of illness). Unfortunately, we missed the grand opening of their ice cream shop (serving Homer's ice cream), which is next weekend (May 16th).
Baskin Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night		4/29/2009
Who can argue with cheap ice cream? Firefighters were lined up at the door at our local Baskin Robbins, handing out plastic fire chief hats to the kids. And service was fast, because there were multitudes of fire fighters serving up the ice cream! Each customer was allowed up to 3 scoops (small, charity sized, but still nothing to sneeze at) of ice cream. Great idea for a good cause.
Earth Day 2010		4/24/2009
This celebration was kicked up a notch or two this year, with the addition of a really good band that played throughout. Another fun addition for the kids was a really good face painter and a tree company that was hoisting the kids up into a tree using their safety belts. The Scales 'n' Tales program was also very cool - the kids got to learn about and touch a possum, BIG turtle, and other animals. The kids got little booklets that they could take around to each of the vendors and events for a stamp, and then turn it in for a goody bag before they left. We never did figure out where we were supposed to turn the booklets in, but the kids didn't mind a bit.
vital fitness chicago		4/21/2009
I had a nutritional counseling session with Missy and was impressed by her knowledge of, and passion for, this topic. She is very motivating, and makes you want to live up to her excellent example. I sent Missy a detailed food journal before we met, and she came to our session with actul foods she wanted me to incorporate into my diet (organic, gluten-free grains like millet and quinoa; mizuki beans, etc.). Wow!
Painting Faces 4U		4/18/2009
I met Julie at the Park Ridge Park District's Earth Day event. I was really impressed by her artwork and the way she interacted with the kids. She was also very fast, which is a plus when the young ones are trying their hardest to wait patiently. After seeing my younger daughter's face paint, my older daughter (who NEVER wants her face painted) promptly got in line. If you're looking for someone to paint faces at your party or event, give her a call. Her rates are VERY reasonable.
What's on the Menu? - River Trail Nature Center		4/6/2009
This is a really interesting (for adults and children alike) discussion and demonstration on feeding the wild animals and birds the nature center cares for in outdoor cages. The naturalist led a 45-minute discussion and demo on feeding their skunk (the children got to pet it!), fox, owls, hawk, and bald eagle. He was great with the kids - very patient and eager to answer their questions. Most of the food is real (dead) mice, which I thought might disturb my animal-loving girls. But it did not; for some it might though, so beware.
Fermilab Tours and Recreation Area		4/1/2009
We attended the Wonders of Science Show here last weekend. The show was put on by 3 high school science teachers, and was billed as a "fast-paced" show for second graders and above. My 2nd grader was definitely more engaged than my kindergartener. It was much slower-paced than I had thought it would be. I think it is definitely more interesting for kids at least in 2nd grade, if not older. The price was right, though - $4 per ticket. I wouldn't drive out again from Park Ridge for just the show, but I would definitely come back on a nice day to see the bison herd and take advantage of the hiking/biking trails, which looked great, and picnic areas.
Cheeseburger in Paradise - Des Plaines		3/28/2009
We havent't been here in awhile, and came back on a Saturday night. There was a strolling musician playing a guitar and singing a lot of old 80's tunes - he was actually pretty good. Before we left, he came over and gave my daughters each a stuffed animal. Our food was okay. Nice to see some healthy sides for the kids like mandarin oranges and broccoli.
Muvico Theaters - Children's Playroom		3/28/2009
Great, fun, safe place to leave your children while you catch a movie. It's only open on the weekends (don't know about summer), and you may call to make a reservation. Kids and parents are tagged with matching wristbands for safety, and parents get a buzzer in case there's a problem. Kids get to watch movies, have popcorn and sprite, paint, play on computers, read, play dress up, etc. etc. My daughters LOVE it. You can also get a frequent buyers card; stamp it each time, and your 10th visit is free.
Memories with Mom Day at American Girl Place		3/27/2009
My girls have been begging to come here for a meal with their dolls since Christmas time, so I finally caved in and treated them as a spring break activity. This was a nice event which included dinner at the AGP Cafe, a picture in the Photo Studio for each of us (a 5 x 7 and 4 wallet sized), a gerbera daisy for me, and a goody bag for each of us (AGP locket keychain and a small booklet). The food was okay, but my daughter who normally loves chicken tenders wouldn't eat these; the seasoning was a bit more oriented to adults, I thought. We substituted fresh fruit for the tomato soup, and got one small fruit kabob with 3 tiny pieces of fruit - hardly a side dish, in my opinion. But the ambiance is very cute, with little chairs for the dolls that clip to the table (and fall off a lot), and the servers are very attentive and friendly. We paid $50 each for the package (meal worth $22; keychain $8; photos $20 or so and you get an extra, huge, heart-shaped cookie with dessert). I would have preferred not to have to ante up for my photo and goody bag - that should be for the kids only. And $22 for a meal in which my daughter ate bread, none of the starters (which were fine for adults but not kid-friendly, in my opinion), 2 bites of chicken and dessert is VERY expensive. But my girls had a great time and the photos turned out adorable - especially the shots with each girl hugging their doll. The bathroom is the cutest public bathroom I've ever been in. If we ever dine here again, it would be for breakfast, since I don't think there's much you can do to pancakes to make them too "gourmet" for kids to enjoy.
Mom & Tots Playdate - Pinstripes Northbrook		3/26/2009
My daughters and I LOVED this! The staff is super friendly and accommodating to the kids. There is a nice table set out at kid-height with fresh fruit kabobs, yogurt and yogurt mix-ins (chocolate chips and sprinkles) for the kids, and a coffee bar set out for the moms, complete with flavored syrups. It's only $5 for each child to bowl, moms bowl free, and the shoes are free for everyone. What a value! You sit in comfy leather sofas, and it's very relaxed and fun for all. You can also order food and drinks from their menu, which had some unique offerings and looked delicious. We'll come back another time for the food - maybe brunch on Sundays when kids eat free! My only caveat is to arrive early, as lanes fill up fast.
Uncle Dan's Pizza & Pub		3/21/2009
The pizza was good, but our orders arrived separately. My youngest daughter and I ordered meals, and my husband and older daughter ordered a pizza. My youngest and I were finished with our meals before the pizza came. I think they could have timed our meals to come simultaneously. Nice atmosphere, with large screen tvs tuned to sports. They will be trying out live music on some weekend nights.
Choir Camp - Park Ridge Community Church		3/20/2009
This is a fabulous opportunity for your children to learn singing from an expert, caring professional. See Sasha's credentials at this link: http://www.parkridgecommunitychurch.org/about/sasha.aspx. My daughter attended this camp last year, and loved it. You will not find a better value for top-quality choir instruction. The kids all love Sasha.
Jason's Deli, Park Ridge		2/16/2009
I LOVE the healthful and socially conscious approach taken by this restaurant. I recently started paying attention to labels to try to keep high fructose corn syrup out of my house, and it's nice to see a restaurant doing the same. We ate here for the first time tonight (Monday, so the girls ate for free!), and were favorably impressed. I had the chicken taco salad, which was delicious, but frankly more like nachos than a salad. I would've preferred more lettuce and less chips. However, the salsa and guacamole were fresh and delicious, and at least the chips were organic. My hubby enjoyed his sandwich, and the girls liked their meals too. Healthful sides are available (fresh fruit, organic apple slices, organic carrots, or chips), and my 2nd grader shocked me by ordering the apples over the chips. Organic apple juice is one of the drink choices included in the kids meals. Even the bathrooms get in on the green movement, with eco-friendly soap. The restaurant also uses washable cups for the drink station rather than the throwaways. Love it! Kids meal prices are $1.99 - $3.29, and include things like a baked potato and jr. salad bar. I hope Jason's stays in Park Ridge, because I want to keep returning.
Pasquesi Home & Gardens		2/12/2009
This is so much more than a gardening center! As a certified shopaholic, I felt like I was walking into heaven when I walked through the doors here. In addition to the expected gardening supplies, plants, fountains, etc., this store carries Crocs (the shoes, not the animals), a HUGE assortment of pet supplies and food with a doggie bone bar for the four-legged friends who are always welcome in the store, cds, home decor, and more more more. I unfortunately didn't have enough time to explore the whole store, but I'll be back. Coffee and tea are complimentary while you shop, as is a doggie treat for Fido.
Team Blonde Boutique & Eco Spa		2/9/2009
I made the half hour trip to this store because I wanted to drop off some of my old business clothes for a women's shelter that Team Blonde was socially conscious enough to collect for (Feb. 9th is the last day, so if you have some old business clothes, please drop them off). I was very pleasantly surprised at the store's offerings. Really beautiful and unique jewelery. Bags, wallets and more made out of recycled billboards (very cool looking!), soy candles made by the women's shelter - the candles are poured into recycled beer and soda bottles, and much much more. If you're looking for a unique gift for yourself or someone else, check out this friendly, socially conscious store.
River Trail Nature Center		2/7/2009
This is a beautiful newly-renovated nature center with two large rooms. One has live animal, fish, etc. exhibits, and the other is a large play/activity room. I took 3 girls aged 5-7 here, and all were interested and engaged in the exhibits and LOVED the activity room. Everything is nature-themed and there are books, puzzles, games, crafts, and a small puppet theater with many puppets. There's also an eagles nest play area (the size of a real eagle's nest) with a fox den play area beneath it. The fox den has padded mats on the floor and books around, making it a great place to enjoy a story. Don't miss animal feeding time outside around 2:30 - 3:00pm.